William Trelease

(1857 - 1945)

William Trelease was a noted
taxonomist who studied many vascular plant and fungal groups. His extensive travels
provided him opportunities to study these diverse organisms. His prolific work and
experience were the enviable traits of a distinguished teacher and botanical leader.

William Trelease was born on February 22, 1857 in Mt. Vernon, New
York. He attended Cornell University and received a bachelor's degree in 1880.
He then went to Harvard University to study with Asa Gray and W. G. Farlow from
1880-1881. Upon finishing his year at Harvard, Trelease obtained a position as
instructor of botany at the University of Wisconsin from 1881-1883. He then became
professor of botany until 1885, during which time he received a doctor of science degree
from Harvard in 1884. Trelease left the University of Wisconsin in 1885 to open the
Henry Shaw School of Botany at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.
Additionally, Trelease was director of the Missouri Botanical Garden from 1889 until
1912. In 1913 he accepted a position as head of the Department of Botany at the
University of Illinois, and continued in that role until his retirement in 1926.
Emeritus status followed until his death in 1945.

Although Trelease studied a wide range
of plants, his early work focused on bateria and fungi. He taught the first course
in bacteriology given at the University of Wisconsin and became one of the country's
leading mycologists. Later Trelease studied the taxonomy of seed plants while at the
Missouri Botanical Garden and at the University of Illinois. He travelled
extensively in the United States and overseas to study and collect. He travelled on
the Harriman Expedition to Alaska in 1898, and authored many botanical publications,
including several monographs. In 1913, he published a monograph titled Agaves in
the West Indies. He was also a noted authority on oaks, Phoradendron,
and several members of the Piperaceae. He is believed to have named and described
over 2,500 species and varieties.

Trelease was instrumental in the early development of the Missouri Botanical Garden.
As its first director, he encouraged its growth and helped to make it an important
botanical center. He was influential in obtaining several important library
collections for the Botanical Garden's library, including those of George Engelmann and
Edward Sturtevant. As director he also developed the Garden's herbarium, museum, and
grounds.